Alloy Selection Guide
Every Vital grade side by side, using the composition and physical property data published on each data sheet.
Values are reproduced from the individual Vital grade pages. Units are metric and typical physical properties apply to age hardened products where applicable.
| UNS | Family | Main Additions | Density g/cm³ | Melting Range °C | Thermal Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C17200 | Beryllium Copper Alloys | Be 1.85-2.10%; Co+Ni 0.20% Min.; Co+Ni+Fe 0.60% Max. | 8.36 | 870-980 | 0.25 |
| C17300 | Beryllium Copper Alloys | Be 1.85-2.10%; Co+Ni 0.20% Min.; Co+Ni+Fe 0.60% Max. | 8.36 | 870-980 | 0.25 |
| C17500 | Beryllium Copper Alloys | Be 0.40-0.70%; Co 2.40-2.70% | 8.83 | 1000-1070 | 0.48 |
| C17510 | Beryllium Copper Alloys | Be 0.20-0.60%; Ni 1.40-2.20% | 8.83 | 1000-1070 | 0.57 |
| CW103C | Beryllium Copper Alloys | Be 0.40-0.70%; Co 0.80-1.30%; Ni 0.80-1.30% | 8.83 | 1000-1070 | 209 W/m • oK at 20 C |
| C15000 | High Conductivity Copper Alloys | Zr 0.15-0.20% | 0.321 Lbs./In.3 | 1080°C (1976°F) | 212 |
| C18000 | High Conductivity Copper Alloys | Cr 0.10-0.80%; Ni 1.80-3.0%; Si 0.40-0.80% | 1074°C | 200 | |
| C18150 | High Conductivity Copper Alloys | Cr 0.50-1.50%; Zr 0.05-0.25% | 0.321 Lbs./In.3 | 1080°C (1976°F) | 187 |
| C18200 | High Conductivity Copper Alloys | Cr 0.60-1.20% | 0.321 Lbs./In.3 | 1075°C (1967°F) | 187 (solution heat treated, cold worked 50% minimum and aged) |
| C61000 | Aluminum Bronze Alloys | Al 6.00-8.50%; Fe 0.50% Max.; Si 0.10% Max. | 40.0 Btu • ft/(hr • ft2•oF)at 68F | ||
| C61400 | Aluminum Bronze Alloys | Al 6.00-8.00%; Fe 1.50-3.00%; Mn 1.00% Max. | 39.0 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C62300 | Aluminum Bronze Alloys | Al 8.50-10.00%; Fe 2.00-4.00%; Mn 0.50% Max. | 31.0 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C62400 | Aluminum Bronze Alloys | Al 10.00-11.50%; Fe 2.00-4.50%; Mn 0.30% Max. | 34.0 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C63000 | Aluminum Bronze Alloys | Al 8.50-11.00%; Fe 2.00-5.00%; Ni 4.00-6.00% | 22.60 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C63600 | Aluminum Bronze Alloys | Al 3.00-4.00%; Si 0.70-1.30%; Fe 0.15% Max. | 33.0 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C95400 | Aluminum Bronze Alloys | Al 10.0-11.50%; Fe 3.00-5.00%; Ni 1.50% | 33.90 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C64700 | Silicon Bronze Alloys | Ni 1.60-2.20%; Si 0.40-0.80%; Fe 0.10% Max. | 250 | ||
| C65500 | Silicon Bronze Alloys | Si 2.80-3.80%; Mn 0.50-1.30%; Fe 0.80% Max. | 21.0.0 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C70320 | Silicon Bronze Alloys | Ni 2.50-3.50%; Si 0.60-1.10%; Fe 0.10% Max. | 190 | ||
| C51000 | Phosphor Bronze Alloys | Sn 4.50-5.50%; P 0.03-0.35%; Zn Balance | 40.00 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C51100 | Phosphor Bronze Alloys | Specific Gravity 8.86 g/cm3; Coefficient of Thermal Expansion per °C 17.80 x 10-6 (20-300°C); Electrical Conductivity (% IACS) 20% @ 68 F | 48.00 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C51900 | Phosphor Bronze Alloys | Sn 5.50-7.00%; P 0.03-0.35%; Zn Balance | 38.00 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C52100 | Phosphor Bronze Alloys | Sn 7.50-8.50%; P 0.03-0.35%; Zn Balance | 36.00 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C54400 | Phosphor Bronze Alloys | Sn 3.50-4.50%; Pb 3.50-4.50%; Zn Balance | 50.00 Btu · ft/(hr · ft2·oF)at 68F | ||
| C31400 | Leaded Commercial Bronze | Pb 1.30-2.50%; Fe 0.10% Max. | 180.0 W/m ∙ ˚K at 20 C | ||
| C31600 | Leaded Commercial Bronze | Pb 1.30-2.50%; Ni 0.70-1.20% Max. | 140.2 W/m ∙ ˚K at 20 C | ||
| C19140 | Leaded Nickel Copper Alloys | Ni 0.80-1.20%; Pb 0.40-0.80%; P 0.15-0.35% | 0.321 Lbs./In.3 | 1082°C (1980°F) | 146 |
| C19150 | Leaded Nickel Copper Alloys | Ni 0.80-1.20%; Pb 0.50-1.00%; P 0.15-0.35% | 0.320 Lbs./In.3 | 1082°C (1980°F) | 146 |
| C19160 | Leaded Nickel Copper Alloys | Ni 0.80-1.20%; Pb 0.80-1.20%; P 0.15-0.35% | 0.321 Lbs./In.3 | 1082°C (1980°F) | 146 |
| C16200 | Cadmium Copper Alloys | Cd 0.70-1.20%; Fe 0.02% Max. | 0.321 Lbs./In.3 | 1076°C (1969°F) | 208 |
| C16500 | Cadmium Copper Alloys | Cd 0.60-1.00%; Tin 0.50-0.70%; Fe 0.02% Max. | 0.321 Lbs./In.3 | 1070°C (1958°F) | 146 |
| C18135 | Cadmium Copper Alloys | Cr 0.20-0.60%; Cd 0.20-0.60% | 0.323 Lbs./In.3 | 1080°C (1976°F) | 210 |
| CuBe2Bi | Beryllium Copper Rod / Bar | Be 1.80-2.00%; Co+Ni 0.20% Min.; Co+Ni+Fe 0.60% Max. | 8.36 | 870-980 | 0.25 |
| CuNiBeTi | Beryllium Copper Rod / Bar | Be 0.20-0.40%; Ni 1.40-1.80%; Ti 0.05-0.15% | 8.83 | 1000-1070 | 0.57 |
| C17410 | Beryllium Copper Strip | Be 0.15-0.50%; Co 0.35-0.60% |
Alloy Selection FAQ
Answers drawn from the Vital technical data for this page.
How should I read this table?
Each row repeats the values published on that grade page: the main alloying additions, density, melting range and thermal conductivity. Follow the UNS link for the full composition, specification and temper list.
Which grade gives the highest strength?
C17200 is described by Vital as the most commonly utilised copper beryllium alloy, notable for its highest strength and hardness compared to commercial copper alloys, with ultimate tensile strength that can exceed 200 ksi.
Which grade machines most freely?
C17300 is the leaded, free cutting version of C17200, and C54400 is the free cutting phosphor bronze. C19140, C19150 and C19160 are the leaded nickel copper free machining grades.
Are mechanical properties published?
Mechanical properties are available on request from customers. Email sales@vitalmaterialgroup.com with the grade and temper.
Still Choosing Between Grades
Describe the part, the load and the operating temperature and we will shortlist the alloys.